ISSUE FOCUS 48 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE April 2025 minerals (IntelliBond®), which delivers the newest trace mineral supplementation technology. Organic trace mineral sources Organic trace minerals are categorized as organic based on their metal being attached via covalent bonds to one or more carbon containing molecules (amino acids, polypeptides, polysaccharides, organic acids, etc.). Research shows that the combination of the metal and its organic chaperones provides organic trace minerals with a higher level of stability, less reactivity and improved bioavailability when compared to conventional inorganic trace mineral sources. When considering the selection criteria highlighted above most organic trace mineral products would offer animals an improved source of essential trace metal absorption. Their primary drawback continues to be their higher, initial cost relative to inorganic sources, ranging from 6 to 10 X the cost of inorganic supplementation. While this number may seem high, a measurable improvement in animal well-being and or productivity based on their use can quickly end up providing a positive return on investment. Hydroxy trace mineral sources Hydroxy trace minerals were developed and introduced in the late 1990s utilizing a novel trace mineral technology. Each hydroxy trace mineral (zinc, copper, and manganese) exists as a completely stable metal crystal above a pH of 4.0. This provides rock-solid stability in the feed and upper GI tract, basically eliminating the antagonistic reaction concern highlighted above. Only when the hydroxy metal crystals reach the low pH environment (< 4.0) of the stomach, gizzard, or abomasum, do the metal crystals begin to slowly disassociate their metal ions, which are then released to the small intestine for efficient absorption across the intestinal wall (Figure 2). IMPROVING ANIMAL PRODUCTIVITY AND WELL-BEING Over 200 independent research trials show the ability of each metal hydroxy source to improve animal productivity and well-being while eliminating all negative side effects. One such side effect in ruminants is the antimicrobial effects of zinc and copper originating from zinc and copper sulphate on the microbiome of the rumen. Multiple research studies have proven that normal feeding levels of zinc and copper sulphate in dairy and beef rations can reduce NDFd by approximately 2 points! Published research has put the value of this loss at up to 0.5 kg of fat corrected milk per cow per day during early lactation. Completely replacing sulphate trace minerals with hydroxy trace minerals can eliminate this costly side effect, thereby optimizing rumen function, and profitability. TAKING RETURN ON INVESTMENT INTO ACCOUNT Hydroxy trace minerals can be offered at a price point that allows for the complete replacement of reactive, inorganic trace mineral sources in the diet. When compared on average with multiple, research proven organic trace minerals sources, hydroxy trace minerals would represent a 50- 60% savings while delivering an equivalent, or greater level of animal efficacy. Before finalizing the selection of an essential source of trace mineral supplementation keep in mind the criteria highlighted above as a guideline to maximize the total return on your trace mineral investment. It’s an important choice for the benefit of the animal under your care and the environment in which we live. Supplemental Zn, ppm ZnSO4 Tibia Zn, µg/tibia IntelliBond Z Organic TM 60 56 52 48 44 40 36 32 28 24 20 0 3 6 9 **Rochell et al., 2013, Univ. of IL Figure 2. Relative bioavailability of Hydroxy trace minerals (IntelliBond) vs organic and inorganic sources **
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